Surrounded by preschoolers, Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a bill Monday that expands early childhood education. Even though it’s a far cry from what Abercrombie envisioned, he declared, “No other piece of legislation this year was more important.” The bill funds $1.16 million for administrative costs and $6 million in subsidies to help 900 children. Associated Press.

Hawaii moved closer Monday to providing universal preschool under legislation Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed that establishes a statewide school readiness program. Star-Advertiser.

Preschool bill signing

Governor Neil Abercrombie calls the 'school readiness' bill the most
important legislation of the session. Parents in Hawaii pay an average
of 640-dollars per month to send their child to preschool. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s
first changes to its medical marijuana laws since their inception 13
years ago will begin with a bill-signing today, after the legislation
survived a rather short potential veto list released Monday by Gov. Neil
Abercrombie. West Hawaii Today.

Legislative
leaders say they plan to meet with other lawmakers this week but do not
expect a special session to override any of the nine bills on Gov. Neil
Abercrombie’s potential veto list. Star-Advertiser.

Gov.
Neil Abercrombie notified lawmakers Monday that he intends to veto just
nine of the 293 bills they passed. Last year, he had 20 bills on the
list and went on to veto 14. In 2011, his potential veto list included
25 bills and he vetoed 17. Civil Beat.

Gov.
Neil Abercrombie on Monday notified Hawaii lawmakers of his intent to
veto nine of the 293 measures that passed the Legislature during this
year’s session. Pacific Business News.

For
the first time in nearly 100 years, the U.S. government may soon have
formal rules for the federal law designed to put eligible Native
Hawaiians onto homestead lots. The U.S. Department of the Interior on
Monday notified the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands of its
intent to establish rules related to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act
of 1920, which set up a trust comprising roughly 200,000 acres
throughout the islands for homesteading purposes. Star-Advertiser.

On
March 1, Gov. Neil Abercrombie called for the formation of a
Sequestration Impact Response Team to address nationwide federal
spending reductions. The team is still trying to fill the 25 slots with
people from government, the military, business and non-profits. Hawaii News Now.

The
third National Climate Assessment aims to help federal, state and local
officials to adapt to mounting environmental challenges that are likely
to result from warming waters, higher average temperatures, more
extreme weather, and rising sea levels. Civil Beat.

Hawaii falls smack dab in the middle of a list that rates overall child well-being across the country. Civil Beat.

While
some analysts have compared the state’s growing unfunded pension and
retirement benefit liabilities as a “tsunami,” overwhelming state
taxpayers with an enormous debt, the comparison isn’t valid, says a new
Senate Minority report. Hawaii Reporter.

Federal
and state authorities are asking boaters to call in when they see dead
whales floating at sea. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
regional marine mammal response manager David Schofield says early
reporting allows officials to locate dead whales and tow the carcasses
away from the islands. Associated Press.

Three
bills designed to curb smoking in public places on Oahu will be on the
agenda of the City Council Public Safety and Economic Development
Committee today. Star-Advertiser.

A
nonprofit group under investigation for possible misuse of federal
grant money received nearly $30 million in contracts from the U.S.
Department of Defense between 2000 and 2012. Opportunities and
Resources, Inc., also known as ORI Anuenue Hale, runs a wellness center
and workplace for elderly and developmentally disabled people next to
the Dole Plantation in Central Oahu. Civil Beat.

Oahu
nonprofit groups may now request as little as $25,000, instead of a
minimum of $50,000, from the city's new Grants in Aid Fund, city
officials announced Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Although
Honolulu's new sidewalk nuisance law is more than two months old,
enforcement won't begin until next Monday. The city was forced to delay
implementation if Bill 7 until new administrative rules could be
written. KITV4.

Aliiolani
Hale, the 139-year-old downtown Honolulu building that is home to the
Hawaii Supreme Court and the iconic statue of Kame­ha­meha I, is about
to undergo nearly $3 million in repairs. Star-Advertiser.

A
plan by a geologist and former mineral exploration company chief
executive to establish an organic cacao farm in Wai­kane Valley took a
step forward with publication of a draft environmental assessment
Sunday. Star-Advertiser.

Members
of the public can provide feedback on the latest designs for three
planned rail stations — West Loch, Waipahu Transit Center and Leeward
Community College — during a 6:30 p.m. meeting today at Waipahu
Intermediate school, 94-455 Farrington Highway. Honolulu Authority for
Rapid Transportation, the semiautonomous government agency overseeing
the entire rail project, is holding the meeting. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

More
than 50,000 of the state’s kids — or 17 percent — lived in poverty in
2011, up from 13 percent in 2005. Hawaii County, in particular,
continues to have the highest child poverty rate, increasing from 18
percent in 2008 to almost 30 percent in 2011, according to statistics
released Monday. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Rock
& Brews LLC, a California-based restaurant chain involving rocker
Gene Simmons of Kiss fame, which has plans to open in Paia on Maui, is
moving ahead as the state of Hawaii recently approved its special
management area minor permit. Pacific Business News.

Camp
Maluhia, the largest Boy Scouts of America camp in Hawaii, received
$1.5 million from the state for facility improvements and repairs as
part of $41.2 million in state funding for capital improvement projects
released by Gov. Neil Abercrombie on June 6. Maui News.

The
Maui County law says sign waving too close to roads, crosswalks or
intersections can distract drivers and become a hazard so there are
space restrictions. But residents say it's not fair that the law is
being selectively enforced. Kevin Olson's sign reads, "MPD spotter van
ahead in the Times Super Market parking lot. Be smart." Holding that
sign got Kevin Olson a $50 ticket. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

The
Department of Water will hold informational meetings over the next few
weeks to discuss the scheduled 11.2 percent water rate increase that
will take effect on July 1. Garden Island.

A
proposal to be introduced by the Kauai County Council Wednesday would
mean a significant hike in dog-license fees — especially for owners of
unneutered and unspayed dogs.Garden Island.

About Me

Nancy Cook Lauer, the curator/publisher of All Hawaii News, is an
award-winning 25-year journalist who earned her reporting chops covering the Bush v. Gore 2001 presidential election in Florida.
Lauer moved to Hawaii in 2005, and has been actively involved in government and political news coverage since. She's vice president of the Hawaii SPJ chapter and
holds a master's degree in library and information science from Florida
State University.

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